There is an amazing wild and native trout stream that’s 2 hours away from me. Every time I go to start the hike it starts on a popular hiking trail so I pass a lot of people. They literally tell me that there isn’t enough water for fish and they think they know what they are talking about. Too bad I was catching 12 inch brownies
I caught my first rainbow trout in a stream half that size back in East Tenn when I was about 8 (60 years ago.) And I’ve fly fished hundreds of streams smaller than that out in the western states since then.
Your title reminded me of my favorite small stream, which won't be named. High mountain, in a primarily backpacking area. Snow-fed stream with few bugs, the fish averaged 7-9 inches, and eagerly went after dry flies (I fish it with a Sage 00 rod). They were also very hard to see - it was rare to see one before it hit my fly. I was hiking back to my campsite one time when I met another hiker, who wondered why I was trying to fish that stream as there were no fish in it. I've caught 100 trout twice there.
As always a most beautiful scenery and a wonderful fishing day with a nice brookie as the icing of the cake. Also the red spots of that beautiful brown trout. I enjoyed video a lot.
Amazing the similarities of these eastern waters and the Big Sur coast waters out here in California....same kind of rocks, moss, foliage, trees.......and trout!!
Oh, the stumbles ,tumbles and frustrations of fly fishing, makes the victory of catching those gorgeous trout worth it all! Good job Drew. Always a pleasure to virtually "tag along" on your adventures.
Serious rock hopping there for a moment. Great looking stream. Earned those fish. Some of the best memories I have are the fish hat I worked the hardest for irrespective of size.. cool vid thanks
I grew up camping and fishing in Colorado. This type of steam/river fishing ❤️ is my favorite and I have so many memories of amazing times fishing. Unfortunately we are now overrun with transplants and can’t camp and fish like we used to. Thank you for this video, as it brings back so many awesome memories for me.
Very cool too watch I did alot of what we called creek fishing for natural brook trout speckled trout we called them in Northern Ontario Canada some beautiful fish caught thank you for such an awesome video
I pulled a 15 3/4 inch brown trout out of a tiny hole that was only about 10 inches deep, so nice fish can be found in tiny brooks, the key here was a tree root, where the water was deepest under that root wad.
I like little lures and for streams like that one little salmon egg on a tiny little clamp weight because at the bottom of every waterfall there's a big trout for that pool every time I love brookies and goldens
Years ago when I first started stream fishing folks told me to always fish upstream because the fish are always facing upstream so if you approach from upstream they will spot you. After dealing with tangled fishing line all the time I began to fish from upstream. I know how to approach the stream and I know that all the food a fish eats comes from upstream. I have taught many people to fly fish and bait fish and have never ever told anyone to fish from downstream. You can if you like but if you want fish for supper try something different. If you have any idea of which type of fish inhabits the stream you will know where in the stream to fish for them. My favorite to eat are Brook Trout, which is actually a char, and my favorite to catch are Brown Trout. Browns like faster water and really strike when they take your bait. Browns can get much larger than you might expect in a mountain stream and they are resistant to more ailments that other trout get.
i'm from and live in massachusetts but i used to have some real remote creeks and small lakes in the high mountains of california that i used to go to back in the 70's. we almost couldn't miss up there and never saw anybody else or signs of it. there would still be some snow around in july and we could see the trout making a nest and laying eggs in the gravel along the shore which seemed quite remarkable to us. the trout looked like rainbows but had pink meat. we only kept what we would eat that day. caught them on ultra-light spin rods with tiny panther martin lures.
Thanks man, I admit I have no clue how yt works but I'm humbled by the interest my channel gets! Have read many positive comments about your channel also!
Great videos, reminds of my younger days when about every spare second I had was in one of the few non polluted streams we had here in Belmont County Ohio. I mostly fished for small mouth though. Great times just walking that creek looking for that strike.
On a random suggestion, I fished a creek just like this a few weeks ago. I was landing fish left and right just like this video. Did not see another person all day. Very satisfying.
Heading on a flying trip in 20 days with an old Army buddy. Can't wait! Will be watching 👀 your videos till then! Thanks for sharing 👍! Check out the west side of the Driftless zone next time you are up.
I do some backpacking and fishing here in the Colorado mtns. People always seem so shocked that I have a fishing pole. Most trails follow waterways, so why not get in some good fishing:) Fan of the collapsible tankara rod for backpacking and fishing the smalls streams
Find you a place that sells cheap wool socks. Keep a pair in your fly bag. If it gets wicked slippery, slip them over your boots and secure them with the laces. Works like a charm
Mr. Lookinfishy, awesome videos and awesome trips. If I don’ auger in at least once every time I wade fish, the day just doesn’t feel complete. Your video on using maps to find fishing spots was very interesting. I fish the Wisconsin part of the Driftless area and am hesitant to walk across farmers’ fields to get to the water. I am hoping to put your tips to good use.
I love the way the brookies disappear as they swim away. They turn invisible in the blink of an eye. I *think* I recognize that stream but I'm not going to say its name because I'm going up there tomorrow and don't want any excess company. :)
I have been to Boone a couple times excellent area nice brookies Linville Gorge is treacherous but has some huge Browns I love the tye river but too bad it's private
I love watching your videos , just thinking it’s a wonder you haven’t broken you neck the way you tool around those rocks. I found out first hand that your head does not bounce to well off river rock. River rocks are not forgiving.
What tips do you recommend when choosing flies or nymphs for any area? Do you use the same set up all the time or do you change your flies where ever you go ?
So keeping it simple I break it down into 3 types of water... 1 Freestone 2 tailwater 3 spring creek While there is overlap in bugs I can pretty much decide how to start and where based on the water. Ex, if I'm fishing a tailwater probably going small bugs and attractors especially close to the dam. The further you get the more like the other water it can become. My typical rig for Freestones is what I've shown in several videos and the video, the only flies you need out west. Spring creeks a little trickier I think mayflies, caddis and bugs that like vegetation. But...this is a simple explanation meant for high level viewing!
@@LooknFishy Oh man sweet! This is perfect! It’s always nice to hear from experience fly fishermen. I admit sometimes I don’t know what I’m doing and other times I have no idea what I’m doing wrong. I’m going to take this into consideration. I’m from California and fly fishing is tough out here. There are a lot of people in the state and with that a lot of pressured waters. Tight lines brother 🤙🏽 🎣 once again I appreciate the info
I had a guy stop me on a creek yesterday to ask if there would even be fish in such a small creek. I answered some of his questions, but dodged some others. His wife was less amused and thought it was ridiculous to fish such a small creek, but was still cordial. I told them I'd seen a fish, which was true: I'd just caught a 14" golden trout. :)
Great channel And the greatness of hiking the river stream banks Yet Some probably don’t really appreciate the hikes in and out , slip and trip hazards etc
... Their ignorance is bliss ,, but they probably do have Mountainhouse .. so , there's that ... ..Nothing better than a quiet day, a small stream and willing fish ... life is good ...
I learned 40 yes ago when we fished what looked Ike a roadside ditch, turned out to hold hundreds of salmon in the 40 pound class. From then on, if there is food, oxygen and, shelter, I probably going to fling a fly into it.
@@LooknFishy I bust my butt at least once a trip. I could rock hop pretty good in my 60s I’m 72 and sorta stumble up the Stream. Gotta test those rocks before trusting them.
i noticed you really don't fish the fast water / middle riffle much... at least with a dry or dry/dropper.... mostly the soft water on the sides. I seem to have luck there as well on those side seams at least in this type of medium/small water.
I do, just not as productive with a dry/dropper. The needed weight to get down in the heavy flow usually sinks the dry. But in my video, euro nymphing is sexy but the indicator rigs still gets it done...I walk thru from the start of a hole all the way to the fastest run explaining my technique to catch multiple fish from all the holding water!
I am not looking for your spot but where (state) do you find streams like this? I have fished Au Sable (very tough without a boat) etc but prefer the mountain streams with light tackle. If you are chucking 2” streamers with a 9 weight you may as well use a spinning rod. Thats me.
James Ritchie, Who is "chucking 2" streamers with a 9 weight?" I missed that part. You can cast 2" streamers with a 4 weight. However, fly fishing with streamers is not at all like spin fishing.
From what I was told this section is managed as wild trout and doesn't receive any stocked trout. But there are hatchery supported sections so in theory a stocked trout could find its way into the wild sections. But after seeing the topography it would be very unlikely. Plus, I caught tons of stocked brookies and these 2 were unlike any of those in color and attitude. All the bows and browns were wild I didn't include some of the smaller parred up fish but it again speaks to this stream having a very healthy wild trout population.
Those are stocked Brook. They have moved up from general designated water. All stocked trout in NC are Triploid so they will not breed with native(wild trout). The Great Smokies National Park has several populations of native Southern Appalachian Brook Trout. Catching a 10 inch wild fish is rare, and a 12 inch one here is a trophy.
Hard to believe those are wild fish. If true, you’ve stumbled upon the best wild fishing I’ve ever seen in the SouthEast. I’ve fished a ton of wild streams and caught a few decent fish but most are around 6” or less if I’m being honest. Now, I’ve had many days with fish in this size on DH streams but wild, never. Great find, you’ll never find better wild fishing down here then that.
There is an amazing wild and native trout stream that’s 2 hours away from me. Every time I go to start the hike it starts on a popular hiking trail so I pass a lot of people. They literally tell me that there isn’t enough water for fish and they think they know what they are talking about. Too bad I was catching 12 inch brownies
I caught my first rainbow trout in a stream half that size back in East Tenn when I was about 8 (60 years ago.) And I’ve fly fished hundreds of streams smaller than that out in the western states since then.
Your title reminded me of my favorite small stream, which won't be named. High mountain, in a primarily backpacking area. Snow-fed stream with few bugs, the fish averaged 7-9 inches, and eagerly went after dry flies (I fish it with a Sage 00 rod). They were also very hard to see - it was rare to see one before it hit my fly. I was hiking back to my campsite one time when I met another hiker, who wondered why I was trying to fish that stream as there were no fish in it. I've caught 100 trout twice there.
7-9 inch fish is not a secret.
Don't let them backpackers mock you, man!
Those backpacking bullies need to be brought to justice!
Wow, gorgeous sound too. If you could loop that for about 8 hours, I'd probably sleep more restfully than I have in years
Yep, I love sleeping by the stream!
Those were some nice fish, especially those brookies! Good times!
You got that right!
Wow, what beautiful water and landscape. I even gasped at one moment it was so gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!
Happy to do it!
As always a most beautiful scenery and a wonderful fishing day with a nice brookie as the icing of the cake. Also the red spots of that beautiful brown trout. I enjoyed video a lot.
That brown was stunning!
Thanks for sharing the great footage with only nature sounds. And, boy, that is one beautiful stretch of river!
Classic beautiful pocket water stream. Pretty nice Brookies too!. Reminded me of Pocono Mtn stream I fished as a boy. Thanks
wow, these mountain streams are awesome compared to my Florida habitats.... very cool.. thanks for sharing!!!
Nice video drew. I've never known a long walk into a beautiful stream to be a waste of time. Always worth it 👌. Nice wild fish.
That is true!
After a rough start you crushed it man. Love those eats when you can see them coming for your fly. Beautiful stream and fish.
Earned a few of those fish for sure!
browns, rainbows and brook... thats a grand slam. Kudos
Amazing the similarities of these eastern waters and the Big Sur coast waters out here in California....same kind of rocks, moss, foliage, trees.......and trout!!
One of the greatest thrills is having a trout (any species) come up and take a dry fly that you have handcrafted yourself during the off season.
Those bookies at the end were beautiful,,,I just got back from yellowstone catching cutthroat and rainbows ,browns it was a dream come true.
That’s a dream stream! My favorite places to fish. Great video Drew! Keep them coming!
Have been really impressed with the water out east!
Oh, the stumbles ,tumbles and frustrations of fly fishing, makes the victory of catching those gorgeous trout worth it all! Good job Drew. Always a pleasure to virtually "tag along" on your adventures.
The scars remind me of the good times! I'll take em!
Beautiful trifecta! Thanks for sharing.
Definitely was!
Sorry you slipped Drew. Ouch. Happens to all of us. Still, a very nice day on the stream! 🎣
I fish very small warmwater streams often with my 2 wt. See lots of snakes, but the variety of fish is amazing.
Always nice to put a line in the water and pull something out!
Serious rock hopping there for a moment. Great looking stream. Earned those fish. Some of the best memories I have are the fish hat I worked the hardest for irrespective of size.. cool vid thanks
Truth...the work makes it memorable!
Good video. Beautiful setting. Rewarding. Thanks.
I never saw a purpose in backpacking without the intent to fish. Good Video, Great Trout. Thanks.
Outstanding! These are my kind of streams!
Super fun!
i do like a little variety in my fishing! Rainbows, browns and brookies in a beautiful fishing spot. It doesn't get much better!
I grew up camping and fishing in Colorado. This type of steam/river fishing ❤️ is my favorite and I have so many memories of amazing times fishing. Unfortunately we are now overrun with transplants and can’t camp and fish like we used to. Thank you for this video, as it brings back so many awesome memories for me.
Very cool too watch I did alot of what we called creek fishing for natural brook trout speckled trout we called them in Northern Ontario Canada some beautiful fish caught thank you for such an awesome video
Love it! Thanks for posting it.
Like your net! Looks like you repaired last years model... I remember when you lost a fish to a hole in that net. Nice repair! Nice video as always.
Great fishing action! Nice looking stream.
I pulled a 15 3/4 inch brown trout out of a tiny hole that was only about 10 inches deep, so nice fish can be found in tiny brooks, the key here was a tree root, where the water was deepest under that root wad.
That’s awesome, I love small water/quiet little streams…just being out away from the hustle is good for the soul
Beauty Brookies! Well done Drew.
Thx buddy!
I like little lures and for streams like that one little salmon egg on a tiny little clamp weight because at the bottom of every waterfall there's a big trout for that pool every time I love brookies and goldens
Beautiful fish!!! Gorgeous stream!
Years ago when I first started stream fishing folks told me to always fish upstream because the fish are always facing upstream so if you approach from upstream they will spot you. After dealing with tangled fishing line all the time I began to fish from upstream. I know how to approach the stream and I know that all the food a fish eats comes from upstream. I have taught many people to fly fish and bait fish and have never ever told anyone to fish from downstream. You can if you like but if you want fish for supper try something different. If you have any idea of which type of fish inhabits the stream you will know where in the stream to fish for them. My favorite to eat are Brook Trout, which is actually a char, and my favorite to catch are Brown Trout. Browns like faster water and really strike when they take your bait. Browns can get much larger than you might expect in a mountain stream and they are resistant to more ailments that other trout get.
i'm from and live in massachusetts but i used to have some real remote creeks and small lakes in the high mountains of california that i used to go to back in the 70's. we almost couldn't miss up there and never saw anybody else or signs of it. there would still be some snow around in july and we could see the trout making a nest and laying eggs in the gravel along the shore which seemed quite remarkable to us. the trout looked like rainbows but had pink meat. we only kept what we would eat that day. caught them on ultra-light spin rods with tiny panther martin lures.
I'm not a very graceful 'faller' either - at least the rod didn't break! Thanks for taking us along Drew!
haha right? I fall all the time too
Haha and you have a lot further to fall than me! Rod hand always goes up!
@@LooknFishy The older I get...the harder the falls seem to be...Lol. Congrats Drew on your channel's success, very cool.
@@driftstone I was on a long streak until I took a swim in northern Idaho...ugh!
Thanks man, I admit I have no clue how yt works but I'm humbled by the interest my channel gets! Have read many positive comments about your channel also!
Great videos, reminds of my younger days when about every spare second I had was in one of the few non polluted streams we had here in Belmont County Ohio. I mostly fished for small mouth though. Great times just walking that creek looking for that strike.
On a random suggestion, I fished a creek just like this a few weeks ago. I was landing fish left and right just like this video. Did not see another person all day. Very satisfying.
It's what we strive to find
Heading on a flying trip in 20 days with an old Army buddy. Can't wait! Will be watching 👀 your videos till then! Thanks for sharing 👍! Check out the west side of the Driftless zone next time you are up.
I have lol!
@@LooknFishy mn side 😉
Beautiful looking stream nice fish
Thanks for letting nature be the noise. Very chilled video
Good video. Great fishing. And the brookie!
I do some backpacking and fishing here in the Colorado mtns. People always seem so shocked that I have a fishing pole. Most trails follow waterways, so why not get in some good fishing:) Fan of the collapsible tankara rod for backpacking and fishing the smalls streams
Nice place to go and wet the line.Even if you don't catch anything just to unwind
In the beginning you walked over 10 nice holes that I would have fished .... would use mini night crawlers or anything else like a mayfly
Find you a place that sells cheap wool socks. Keep a pair in your fly bag. If it gets wicked slippery, slip them over your boots and secure them with the laces. Works like a charm
Mr. Lookinfishy, awesome videos and awesome trips. If I don’ auger in at least once every time I wade fish, the day just doesn’t feel complete. Your video on using maps to find fishing spots was very interesting. I fish the Wisconsin part of the Driftless area and am hesitant to walk across farmers’ fields to get to the water. I am hoping to put your tips to good use.
I've fished there several times and I'm always hesitant too! But the people there are also some of the friendliest I have meet!
I love the way the brookies disappear as they swim away. They turn invisible in the blink of an eye. I *think* I recognize that stream but I'm not going to say its name because I'm going up there tomorrow and don't want any excess company. :)
Genie: “As a show of gratitude for releasing me from the bottle I grant you three wishes”
Me: “1) world peace 2) the end of hunger 3) Drew’s hookset’
Haha, well done!
Giant brook trout. Def wild. Looked like northern strain
Stream was excellent!
I have been to Boone a couple times excellent area nice brookies Linville Gorge is treacherous but has some huge Browns I love the tye river but too bad it's private
I've heard that about the gorge!
Keep your drift boats & your $500 waders, THIS is fishing…hiking & wading to great fish in a beautiful stream, great video.
Lol his Orvis everything is much more then “500” dollar waders, but yea… this is real fishing for sure
I love watching your videos , just thinking it’s a wonder you haven’t broken you neck the way you tool around those rocks.
I found out first hand that your head does not bounce to well off river rock. River rocks are not forgiving.
Magic fishing,splendid creek,super mister❤
The best
You ever try studded boots? I don’t wear anything else now. Totally worth the secure footing especially when wading slippery rocky terrain.
Mine are studded. I just fall a ton lol!
Looking good as always, keep on keeping on.
Thanks, will do!
My favorite kind of fishing! Nice job!
They don't understand wild Trout! Keep on trucking ✌👏
Another entertaining video. You’re really getting good at this.😊
Fortunate to get lots of practice!
NIce mix!!...looks like you ripped sum lips today. How did the water temps hold up for you. I started my day at 66F...by 1pm water was 75F and done.
I was good but this was in May before mothers day lol.
Great fishing that day... Very nice,,,
perfect water levels. great video.
What tips do you recommend when choosing flies or nymphs for any area? Do you use the same set up all the time or do you change your flies where ever you go ?
So keeping it simple I break it down into 3 types of water...
1 Freestone
2 tailwater
3 spring creek
While there is overlap in bugs I can pretty much decide how to start and where based on the water. Ex, if I'm fishing a tailwater probably going small bugs and attractors especially close to the dam. The further you get the more like the other water it can become. My typical rig for Freestones is what I've shown in several videos and the video, the only flies you need out west. Spring creeks a little trickier I think mayflies, caddis and bugs that like vegetation. But...this is a simple explanation meant for high level viewing!
@@LooknFishy Oh man sweet! This is perfect! It’s always nice to hear from experience fly fishermen. I admit sometimes I don’t know what I’m doing and other times I have no idea what I’m doing wrong. I’m going to take this into consideration. I’m from California and fly fishing is tough out here. There are a lot of people in the state and with that a lot of pressured waters. Tight lines brother 🤙🏽 🎣 once again I appreciate the info
I had a guy stop me on a creek yesterday to ask if there would even be fish in such a small creek. I answered some of his questions, but dodged some others. His wife was less amused and thought it was ridiculous to fish such a small creek, but was still cordial. I told them I'd seen a fish, which was true: I'd just caught a 14" golden trout. :)
I always tell them the fish don't know it's a small stream. They've only been here lol!
That fish @ 13:01 was a really nice brooky. That one I would have kept to eat.
Graceful fall. Ouch. I felt that one. Killer video.
Me too lol!
Gorgeous Stream
Sweet!!! Bows Browns & Brooks.
Man! That water looked so fishy I thought for sure you would've caught a couple dozen trout I'm that section.
Amazing stream! Nice work buddy
Thank ya!
A wading staff on a retractable cord is a must on a stream such at that one. You're lucky you didn't break your rod. Or your wrist.
Good Day huh?...thanks for sharing
Great channel
And the greatness of hiking the river stream banks
Yet
Some probably don’t really appreciate the hikes in and out , slip and trip hazards etc
Thank u, I certainly didn't when I started but now I absolutely dig the adventure that comes from every part of it!
Great video…. Thanks for releasing the fish
Drew,you have the best sound of all the trout fishing vids! Yup, no fish in that brook.LOL Looks like a female brookie?
That Place Looks Amazing!!
Nice stream. What dry-dropper setup were you using?
I saw three species (rainbow, brown, an brook) what state are you in? Which of those are native?
Beautiful water. That’s what I look for.
You and me both!
My choice of gear in a stream like that would have been Tenkara. Nice video!
Not a bad choice!
Just curious, do you ever eat any of these trout, or just c/r? Love the videos! That's beautiful country!
I'm a sometimes guy...but never from a stream gifted to me!
... Their ignorance is bliss ,, but they probably do have Mountainhouse .. so , there's that ...
..Nothing better than a quiet day, a small stream and willing fish ... life is good ...
that water looks awfully familiar so did that slippery rock!
I learned 40 yes ago when we fished what looked Ike a roadside ditch, turned out to hold hundreds of salmon in the 40 pound class. From then on, if there is food, oxygen and, shelter, I probably going to fling a fly into it.
Good jobs brother i like fishing 🦈🐟
Great video thank you
Never trust the dark rocks. When your moving keep a free hand. Stay safe nice video
I don't trust any rocks!
@@LooknFishy I bust my butt at least once a trip. I could rock hop pretty good in my 60s I’m 72 and sorta stumble up the
Stream. Gotta test those rocks before trusting them.
If you ever come to the southern Ontario area, i will take you fishing to nice spots with bigger fish. No one fishes in the cities hear lol
A really nice stream
i noticed you really don't fish the fast water / middle riffle much... at least with a dry or dry/dropper.... mostly the soft water on the sides. I seem to have luck there as well on those side seams at least in this type of medium/small water.
I do, just not as productive with a dry/dropper. The needed weight to get down in the heavy flow usually sinks the dry. But in my video, euro nymphing is sexy but the indicator rigs still gets it done...I walk thru from the start of a hole all the way to the fastest run explaining my technique to catch multiple fish from all the holding water!
I am not looking for your spot but where (state) do you find streams like this? I have fished Au Sable (very tough without a boat) etc but prefer the mountain streams with light tackle. If you are chucking 2” streamers with a 9 weight you may as well use a spinning rod. Thats me.
All the videos from the last few weeks are part of my 4 week road trip thru NC. Have several more in the series to share also.
James Ritchie,
Who is "chucking 2" streamers with a 9 weight?" I missed that part. You can cast 2" streamers with a 4 weight. However, fly fishing with streamers is not at all like spin fishing.
I would fish it, just to see!! Love it!!!
Beautiful location, gorgeous! What rod you fishing with?
Orvis recon
Hi Drew. That brown was definitely wild, but we're the brook trout stocked fish?
From what I was told this section is managed as wild trout and doesn't receive any stocked trout. But there are hatchery supported sections so in theory a stocked trout could find its way into the wild sections. But after seeing the topography it would be very unlikely. Plus, I caught tons of stocked brookies and these 2 were unlike any of those in color and attitude. All the bows and browns were wild I didn't include some of the smaller parred up fish but it again speaks to this stream having a very healthy wild trout population.
@@LooknFishy Thanks for the reply.
Those are stocked Brook. They have moved up from general designated water. All stocked trout in NC are Triploid so they will not breed with native(wild trout). The Great Smokies National Park has several populations of native Southern Appalachian Brook Trout. Catching a 10 inch wild fish is rare, and a 12 inch one here is a trophy.
Living the dream!
Hard to believe those are wild fish. If true, you’ve stumbled upon the best wild fishing I’ve ever seen in the SouthEast. I’ve fished a ton of wild streams and caught a few decent fish but most are around 6” or less if I’m being honest. Now, I’ve had many days with fish in this size on DH streams but wild, never. Great find, you’ll never find better wild fishing down here then that.
Definitely a great gift from my buddy!